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Texas Cracks Down on Illegals

In Laredo, no more 'catch and release'—everyone gets jail time

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 25, 2007 7:05 PM CST

(Newser) – In Laredo, Texas, the border patrol is getting serious about illegal immigration. The longstanding “catch-and-release” policy was scrapped this month, in favor of a zero tolerance program that has clogged jails and strained courts. The Houston Chronicle looked in on a federal courthouse recently, as judges tried and sentenced immigrants 20 at a time to harsh jail stints.

“It doesn't matter if you're trying to pay off funeral expenses, or take care of a sick family member,” a judge told one prisoner. “When you cross the Rio Grande, you’re going to be spending time in prison.” Many applauded the tough stance, but mass trials made civil rights advocates queasy. “We are throwing away the Constitution for expediency,” said one.

Border Patrol agents detain a family of illegal immigrants taken into custody from a car near the U.S.Mexico Border in Laredo, Texas, Friday, June 1, 2007. Laredo, one of illegal immigration's hot spot, recently instituted a zero tolerance policy. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Border Patrol agents detain a family of illegal immigrants taken into custody from a car near the U.S.Mexico Border in Laredo, Texas, Friday, June 1, 2007. Laredo, one of illegal immigration's hot spot,...   (Associated Press)
Border Patrol agents detain a family of illegal immigrants taken into custody from a car near the U.S.Mexico Border in Laredo, Texas, Friday, June 1, 2007. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Border Patrol agents detain a family of illegal immigrants taken into custody from a car near the U.S.Mexico Border in Laredo, Texas, Friday, June 1, 2007. (AP Photo/LM Otero)   (Associated Press)
Border Patrol agents help a girl over a ranch fence so she can be taken into custody in South Texas brush country north of Laredo, Texas, June 6, 2006. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)
Border Patrol agents help a girl over a ranch fence so she can be taken into custody in South Texas brush country north of Laredo, Texas, June 6, 2006. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)   (Associated Press)
US Border Patrol agents stand guard over immigrants taken into custody near the railroad tracks north of the border town of Laredo, Texas, in this Jan. 20, 2006, file photo. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
US Border Patrol agents stand guard over immigrants taken into custody near the railroad tracks north of the border town of Laredo, Texas, in this Jan. 20, 2006, file photo. (AP Photo/LM Otero)   (Associated Press)
Border Patrol agent Albert Deleon checks the banks of the Rio Grande, at the U.S.-Mexico border in Laredo, Texas, an area often used by smugglers, in this June 1, 2007 file photo. Laredo has instituted a zero tolerance policy for illegal immigrants. (AP Photo/LM Otero, file)
Border Patrol agent Albert Deleon checks the banks of the Rio Grande, at the U.S.-Mexico border in Laredo, Texas, an area often used by smugglers, in this June 1, 2007 file photo. Laredo has instituted...   (Associated Press)
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